long while and to believe that Ms. Sade Adu and her lot had not performed in her home state in near on 20 years (since 1993), you had to inquire why it's taken so yearn for them to do and do what they did at the O2 Arena last Tuesday (May 31) - they were simplyPHENOMENALand I bet we would take no qualms at all paying to see that set countless times between 1993 and now BUT alas I digress a bit...
When the right people at Superbreak (I'll assure you about them shortly) reached out to us with tickets to go see Sade at the O2 Arena and yet though we had important exams in a few days, it was really and really a NO brainer and can I only add that the conclusion was easily Worth it!
The picture starts at 8pm with an opening performance from a Jamaican Reggae/Ska band called The Jolly Boys - a grouping of veteran musicians and one helluva charismatic lead vocalist with a really sharp dress sense andhumorousdance moves - it is such a pity that his hoarse/husky (almost baritone) vocals sometimes couldn't match his band's excellent live sound but all in all, an entertaining opening band performance including a funny cover of Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" and a rendering of Iggy Pop's "The Passenger".
The lights come back on briefly as the concert DJ enthrills the interview with classic Soul, R&B and Hip-Hop records while the set is prepped for Sade to return the point and shortly after 9pm, the lights go back out and later a real interesting sequence laced with captivating lightning and thunder sound effects, Sade Ade emerges from beneath the present along with her 6-piece band to "Soldier Of Love". An amazing vocal performance from the refined Soul singer accompanied by a great visual set and back-drop makes up the opening number from SADE.
"18 years we've been rehearsing for tonight. I guess we're set for you now", the singer says before she begins her second act of the night - "Your Passion Is King" - to quite the very appreciative audience and with a few glorious saxophone solos by Stuart Mathewman in tow to accompany Sade Ade on this song,it feels just like that wait she had subjected her fans to has been all the more worthwhile. The crowd love this!
Next up on the schedule is a fierce rendition of "Skin" off of the band's Soldier Of Love album and for their fourth song, the stage lights up into a very lush 'Spring' green with a well-crafted Sade-featured visual back-drop to catch as Sade and her band begin another commanding performance with especially divine saxophone and guitar solos of the very timeless "Colour Of Love".
Ms. Ade is good of vigour and running the point with well rehearsed mini-dance moves while the back-drop projections serve as added visual stimulation and an adept addition to the story behind each call and vocal performance. She strips down her performance a tad bit with a keyboard and chello-backed ballad rendition - laced with some more glorious sax solos from the audiences' listening pleasure - of a book she points out was written for somebody in the audience.
Costumechanges, some more great set designs with a genuine delicacy of an action-sequenced interlude ensue before her band kicks off an amazing interpretation of the classic "Smooth Operator". Where Sade Adu began the dark in a simple all-black top and bottom outfit, she switches into an 80's style waist coat and white shirt to fit the dramatization of the new set (and sung of course) and she continues to be on 100% top form vocally as she's been all evening. "Jezebel" is aheart-wrenchingperformance from Sade with excellent showings from the band - from the keyboardist, drummer to the guitarists and especially Mathewman on sax - while "Is It A Crime?" is another pitch perfect performance from the singer with great sax and star guitar solos to follow the performance which culminates in a standing ovation from the O2 Arena audience.
In betwixt the following two songs - "Paradise" and "Nothing Can Occur Between Us" - Sade bursting into a dance number and shaking her tail is something I didn't mean I would see. Who said this woman was slow? On the second end of "Nothing Can Occur Between Us", Leroy Osbourne and Momrelle on backup vocals get the entire O2 Arena on it's feet clapping and singing along to the chorus. Sade then changes into a beautiful flowing white gown for a keyboard-led ballad rendition of "Morning Star" off of the Soldier Of Love album and goes on to establish yet another powerful vocal performance. Not once has her voice been anything light of glorious all night.
"King Of Sorrow" is another highlight of the evening. It's a beautiful vision to see Sade do her waltz and her dance in her white plume in the centre of such a perfect vocal rendition. the next song immeditately gets everyone on their feet as the lead guitar and drums begin playing the instrumentals and Ms. Adu begins singing the first few lines of "Sweetest Taboo", she has everyone dancing and singing along plus the dance routines with her BVs are always winning. A reflective showing on "Moon & The Sky" and a goose bumps-inducing rendition of "Pearls" follow suit to capture Sade at her song and lyrical best.
"No Ordinary Screw" is met with great elation from the O2 Arena audience with Sade providing an electrifying performance - from the singer to the set and those guitar solos to the fiery visual back-drop - while "By Your Side" proves to be a complete end to one helluva concert!
After "By Your Side", Sade introduces her ring to the crew and they gracefully bow out but the interview wouldn't leave and the O2 Arena erupts into chants and stomping of feet for an encore. Sade Adu in another gorgeous outfit - this time a gloriously flowing red dress - and her band duly oblige with "Treasure the Day". What a heavy song!
Like I said at the beginning, this was one of my favourite concert experience in a long long time. What an enchanting experience provided by these true music legends. Such vocal, lyrical and musical dexterity for SADE as an entirety and they showed why they are real and really in a complete league of their own!
ABOUT SUPERBREAK:
Superbreak is the market leader for short breaksand hotels throughout the UK. Based in York, England, Superbreak specialises in booking cheap weekend breaks in 2-5 star hotel accommodation throughout Britain for the leisure traveller. Superbreak holds allocations of rooms at all hotels and can make bookings up to and on the day of departure.
With 5000 plus hotel partners in worldwide locations from London hotels to Brighton breaks, from London to Paris and with great availability and rates for theatre breaks, events at the O2 Arena, various popular attractions and home and international rail partners, Superbreak can provide an outstanding depth and width of UK and Overseas short break products.
#Peace.Love.SADE
(Personally one of the best backing bands - they helped create her sound)#65279;